3 03 | New Crewmate?

03 | New Crewmate?

"Flashy nutcracker!" 

"Ugh… you sick bastard…" One pirate fell while holding his nuts, the last thing he saw was a red boot to the face before getting knocked out. 

"That's the last of em," Buggy said dusting off his hands, before looking towards a certain direction. 

"We should hurry," Yasopp said, bringing Buggy's attention to him. "Your friend might need some help... the captain of them Broker Pirates is strong. He even has a large bounty of twenty mil…"

"Heh, well, my captain's even stronger," Buggy said with a smirk, though he was a bit worried about Shanks. He had been acting a bit different for since captain Roger's death. 

Out of everyone Shanks always shined the brightest. He really was skilled with the blade, and everyone praised him. So taking down someone like Sadaki shouldn't be a problem. But… Buggy just had a bad feeling about this. 

"But since you are worried, let's check on him," Buggy said, before running towards where the fighting was taking place. Now that every pirate was down, he was free to help Shanks if needed.

"Wait! I'll go with you!" Yasopp said from the back, quickly catching up to him. 

As both of them ran, they finally started hearing the sounds of clash, making them pick up speed. Soon they reached the clearing, and they saw it. 

.

I had finally had enough. Gripping my sword tightly, I focused everything I had on the blade itself. I felt my strength merge with my blade, the metal grow warm under my palm as if responding to my determination. 

My lips curved up, this time I would not waste the chance. The fight had been going on for long enough, if I didn't act now, I would lose.

As Sadaki swung another of his thundering punches toward my head, I ducked smoothly beneath the blow, my body moving by sheer instinct. In the same motion, I slashed my sword upward, putting all my strength behind the attack.

The razor-sharp steel sliced through the air in a red blur too fast for the eye to track. Then astonishingly, effortlessly, it cleaved through Sadaki's hardened skin and the muscle beneath as if parting water. Blood sprayed in a hot crimson arc.

Sadaki's eyes widened as he bellow in pain and shock. And it was sweeter than any music to my ears. I allowed myself a grin of satisfaction, even though the wound was only flesh deep, I was making progress.

The bastard tried to grab me, but I kicked him, using him to back off. 

"You little bastard!" Sadaki clutched at the deep gash in his side, scarlet welling between his thick fingers. Murderous fury twisted his face. "Now you've really pissed me off, you cocky whelp! I'm gonna tear you apart!"

I flourished my sword, the blade hissing through the air. "Come and get me then! I'm just getting warmed up."

My heart pounded, as I felt one with my blade, sending electric energy racing through my veins. 

With a wild roar, Sadaki charged straight toward me like an enraged bull. I stood my ground, honing all my focus into the singing steel in my hands. Calmness descended on me, the eye of the hurricane amidst our clashing fury. I knew exactly where to strike next.

As Sadaki's massive fist hurtled toward my head once more, I met it with a fearsome upward slash. This blow severed muscle and tendon, nearly taking Sadaki's hand off at the wrist. As the giant staggered back with a bellow, clutching the spurting stump, I pressed forward.

This time I brought down my sword in full force, and unconsciously released the stored-up strength from my blade.

Sadaki to his credit backed away just in time as my blade sliced through empty air. And yet he saw red and felt pain. The look of horror was the last thing he had before his body fell in two. 

My eyes widened as I saw my first air blade attack. The attack not only went through my opponent, but anything behind him. Rock, trees, and ground anything that was in front around the hundred-meter radius was cut in half. 

Even I was surprised by my own skills. This time, I felt like I could do it any time. And so I did, releasing another attack at the already downed opponent, sending another air slash that cut through him, going around fifty meters this time. 

I did a few more swings, cutting down random trees as I cheered, only to stop when I accidentally cut down Buggy. 

"Oi, watch where you are swinging, you flashy bastard!" The clown yelled at me, as he reattached himself. 

I winched, "Yeah, sorry…" I said rubbing the back of my head. But who could blame me really. I was in a fantasy world, this kind of stuff was just… fantastic.

"Monster…" that brought my attention as I looked to my side with Yasopp staring at me with his jaw on the floor. I mean literally, it was really weird seeing people being able to do this kind of stuff. 

The One Piece world really was different. Everything was more vivid and animated, almost unrealstic. Something that was a bit hard to get used to, but nothing major really. Everything looked beautiful and amazing after all. 

"You?! You actually beat him? Alone?" Yasopp said, again breaking me out of my musing. 

Buggy to his credit quickly crossed his arms and tired to play it off. "Well, there's a reason why I follow him!" he said with pride in his voice. 

I just laughed, before I fell to the floor exhausted. Huh, I really overdid it, didn't I?

"Oi, you okay? Flashy bastard?" 

I looked at them and gave them my best charismatic smile, though to my annoyance Buggy burst out laughing. 

"Ehahahaa… what happened to your face!" He said.

My right eye twitched, yeah, I didn't look good. One of my eyes should be swollen, along with a broken nose and a few missing teeth… yeah, I didn't look good. But still…

"Why the heck are you pouting?" Buggy laughed even more, as Yasopp looked at the situation with awkwardness. 

.

The sun sank below the horizon, casting them long shadows over the ravaged streets of Syrup Village. Villagers worked in mournful silence, digging graves for the dead after the devastating attack by the Broker Pirates. Tears streamed down weathered faces as shovels bit into the earth, opening it to receive the bodies of friends, family, and neighbors.

Yasopp watched the burials, guilt and anger warring within him. If only he had been stronger, faster, better, perhaps more lives could have been saved. But the pirates had overwhelmed the village, their numbers and brute strength too much for one man to handle alone. If not for Shanks and Buggy, there was no telling what horrors might have continued.

As the last body was laid to rest, one of the village elders approached the two boys. "I can't thank ya enough for what y'all did here today," he drawled gruffly. "If you hadn't come along when you folks did..." He trailed off, shadows haunting his eyes.

Buggy waved a hand dismissively, though his chest puffed out slightly. "Think nothing of it." Like everyone his clothes were also dirty from working with the villagers, "It was child's play takin' down those losers."

"We were glad to help however we could," Shanks said, his straw hat hanging off from his back. "What the pirates did here was unacceptable, any honorable man would help out." His young face was somber, etched with a maturity beyond his years.

Yasopp who was standing at the side nodded. The elder nodded before going back to help the others in fixing the village. 

Shanks also decided to help them, in whatever way he could. Now that he had his teeth back (milk worked!) he didn't need to worry about anything else. 

Even though Shanks was quite injured he still had enough energy to help out. Seeing him Buggy also joined his captain. Ysopp was looking over and managing the bodies of the pirates and those that were still alive were captured, intended to be handed over to the marines. Their bounties would be a good help for the village if they had any. 

The only one that Yasopp knew had bounty was the captain, but he was a pirate from the grandline, so his crewmates should have some bounties on them. Also, Shanks was the one to kill Sadaki, so the bounty was rightfully his. He already did a lot for the village.

As the grave diggers dispersed to wash the dirt and blood from their skin, Shanks approached Yasopp once more, it was getting dark by then.

"The money from the bounties should help rebuild the village," he offered gently. "Especially the captain's..."

Yasopp stared at him. "You...you'd surrender the bounty of Sadaki? That's quite a lot of money…" 

Shanks lifted one shoulder. "Seems only right. We all fought today. Those funds could do a lot of good putting things back in order here." He said, his eyes looking back at the village, of the woman and kids that were trying to rebuild it. 

Most of the man that were able stood behind to defend their villages and not many made it at the end. It was an unfortunate thing, but that was how things were. 

"They could use all the help… and besides I'm young I can cut down a few more pirates to fill my bag," he said, glancing towards Buggy who was about to protest. Shanks shook his head, now wasn't the time. 

Overcome with gratitude, Yasopp clasped Shanks' arm in thanks, "I… no we can't thank you enough."

Shanks just smiled, while Buggy just sighed from behind, not protesting his captain's orders. Of course, Buggy would still get the bounties on the pirates he took down, but the Sadaki's bounty was quite large compared to the others. 

The clown knew arguing was useless, so he opted to just go with it. 

.

Night slowly descended, the shattered beams of moonlight providing minimal illumination along the debris-strewn streets. Yasopp kept watch near a small fire as the remaining villagers settled down to sleep. The events of the day had exhausted all, but Yasopp still remained vigilant. It was hard to get sleep with what had occurred today.

When Shanks and Buggy wandered over to share his fire, Yasopp welcomed them eagerly. As the flickering flames popped and hissed, he plied them with questions about their travels and adventures across the seas. 

His imagination caught fire at the tales they wove, full of close calls, strange islands, and fearsome opponents.

"Oi, Shanks tell him about the time, we took down a giant sea king," Buggy said splitting up his hands, "It was this big… we are scared out of our wits. Well, Shanks was… I wasn't. But anyway… we took it down after a bit of struggle." 

The red-haired boy just chuckled, "Yeah, something like that did happen…" Not going into details, letting Buggy have his moment. He rather sipped on the tea and occupied himself with chewing out the beef jerky. 

"That's wild… you guys really have been around? Huh," Yasopp said, shaking his head in wonder. Even though there was a lingering sorrow, it was bit bright now. "No limits or rules to hold back. Just the ocean spread before, filled with possibility." He chuckled ruefully. 

The young man continued gulping down rum, reacting bitterly to the taste, "How do people even drink this stuff?" 

Shanks smiled, "I don't…" he said, rolling his shoulder, "Being sober is the best way to deal with a man's problem. And besides its not good for your health. And when you have a dream to reach the top you need every advantage you can get."

"Really? What's your dream?" 

Shanks smiled, "To travel the sea, explore every island. Make great friends and strong rivals. To be the most strongest and badass swordsman in the world." Shanks said, laughing, "There's also another dream, but I can't share it with you for now…" 

Buggy snorted, Yasopp laughed, setting aside his bottle, a grin on his face, "You guys really are free… Nothing like the dull routine here on Syrup village. Day after day all the same. Even the island barely has any beasts for me hunt…"

Shanks studied him closely, curiosity kindling. "You ever think about leaving? Coming out to sea with us?"

Yasopp snorted, "And what be a pirate," he said shaking his head. Shanks winched, "I did see you boldly saying something about being the next pirate king and whatnot…" 

"And here I thought i was being discrete. Well, cat's out of the bag," Shanks said scratching the back of his head, "But think about it… what is more free than doing what you want and screwing over the world government while you are at it." 

Yasopp sighed, "After the destruction pirates caused here, I don't think…" 

"Oi, don't forget that we save you…" Buggy cut him off, "Not all pirates are bad…" 

Yasopp shrugged, "Maybe… It's ain't like I haven't gone out of the island. I had my fair share of run-ins with some of them. Not all marines are upright, and not all pirates are bad... some get the tag just 'cause marines had nothin' else to do... heck, I was almost labeled as one myself." He said, shaking his head, almost trying to convince himself otherwise, "I get it, but still."

"We simply sail where the wind takes us, seekin' adventure and challenge," Shanks said, meetin' Yasopp's gaze, putting his hand on his shoulder. "So what say you, Yasopp? We could use a skilled sharpshooter like you…"

The offer hung temptingly in the night air between them. When Yasopp still wavered uncertainly, Buggy chimed in hotly. "You know you should be grateful that Shanks even offered… Do you know how many seek to join our ranks and fail to measure up?"

"Oh, yeah? How many were your crew-mates again?" That seemed to stopped Buggy, "Yeah, I thought so…" 

Shanks laughed, "Well, he got you there, Buggy! But the choice is Yasopp's alone." His eyes settled on the village marksman again. "Well, my friend? We aren't going to force you or anything… and you don't have to choose right away either. We will take our time to explore the island and rest up a bit, so you have a few days to decide."

Yasopp didn't say anything, as he looked at the dancing flames, he had a lot to think about.